Big Valley Floor Installations

Tile is Tile...Right?

 

Your decision on which tile to use mostly comes to purpose for which the tile is to be used and your personal preference. It's important to remember that not all types of tile are suitable for every application.

 

Exploring Different Tile Uses

 

The tile you need for your tiling job will largely depend on the purpose of the tile. Tiles for a floor, for example, will differ from tiles you use for a bathroom wall. Floor tiles will need to be rugged and hardwearing and, if they are intended for commercial use, they will need to be even more durable than your standard tiles.

 

Tiles for a bathroom wall, on the other hand, tend to be decorative and light in order to make the interior of the room look bright and inviting. In addition, many people choose colorful or decorative tiles for a kitchen wall because it is usually a small space that needs to be covered and, in many cases, they double as decoration or are complementary to the décor of the room.

Any tiles used for kitchen worktops need to be easy to clean and non porous. Otherwise, it is possible that the tiles will absorb odours from foods such as onions and garlic and could become a breeding ground for bacteria and other germs.

 

Using Ceramic Tiles

Tiles can be made from ceramic, which is a popular choice for all kinds of tiling. They come in different colors, glazes, patterns and different hardnesses, depending on the use for which they are intended.

 

Using Stone Tiles

 

Stone is a popular alternative for floor tiles, particularly if you are going for a country appearance. Some stone, however, is soft and cannot be used where it might come into contact with certain household chemicals, as they can cause erosion or damage the appearance. Anywhere stone is used, it is best to use some kind of sealant to protect the integrity of the surface.

 

Marble is one of the most common types of stone tile and is suitable for both floors and fireplaces. Another type is granite, which is often used for countertops and fireplaces. Limestone is a good option for flooring, travertine is used for fireplaces and vanities, and quartz-based stone is popular for floors, fireplaces and bar tops. Another option is slate, which is suitable for most uses, except some flaking may be encountered.

 

The Importance of a Good Subfloor

 

Over a concrete slab

 

All cracks and voids need to be repaired prior to the installation of a tiled surface when the tile is being directly bonded to the concrete. Cracks in the slab mean you will get problems later down the road if you don't do anything about it. There are many "crack suppression" products available on the market. However, if the crack is structural (with a height difference from one side of the crack to the other), you should consult a specialist because crack suppression products might not be enough.

 

The best choice depends on the severity of the damage. In extreme cases, it might even be best to remove a large section of concrete slab and replace it with a new one rather than patching all the cracks. NEW CONSTRUCTION: it is important to let the slab cure. Allowing the slab to age a while will allow cracks to occur if they are going to. Then they can be dealt with. Concrete can deform or crack for a year or even more. The industry calls for a minimum 28 days curing time before any flooring should be installed.

 

If you are concerned about cracks, you may want to have an isolation system installed onto the slab to seperate/detach the tile from the slab. Chemically treated cement slabs are unsuitable surfaces to install ceramic tile over (curing compound is sometimes used to slow down water loss as a means of enhancing the curing process). Curing compounds on concrete slabs prevent bonding. To check the slab for the presence of such a coating, drip a few drops of water on its surface. If the water beads, it's highly likely that a coating was applied.

 

Over a Plywood Subfloor

 

Wood framing needs to be structurally sound and be able to support the installation. Tile floors are heavy and need a surface to be applied upon. Tile is hard and will break or dislodge if the surface bends under the load.

 

Preparing a Plywood Subfloor for Tile Installation

 

Remember that you need a very flat surface to work on. If needed, sand the plywood down and make it smooth.

 

Plywood must be installed over an adequate subfloor and be at least 1 1/8" thick when combined with the subfloor.

 

Interior-grade plywood and particleboard are not considered a strong enough floor underlayment.

 

In bathrooms, it's a good idea to apply an isolation membrane over your wood subfloor. These membranes are thin rubber-like materials that will protect the tile from the expansion and contraction of the wood subfloor caused by high moisture, temperature and humidity changes.
preparting a plywood subfloor for tile installation

Over an Existing Ceramic Tile Floor

 

You've got 2 choices: leave the tile floor in place and thinset directly over it, or remove the tile with a hammer.

 

If the existing tile floor is set over a mortar bed it may be hard to remove the tiles without removing a lot of the mortar bed. It really depends on the job. You might be able to remove the tiles without damaging the mud bed. If the bed is not very flat, you can compensate with thinset, but remove high spots first.

 

If you tile directly over tile... check the height of the floor with the height of doors and cabinets. Rough up the existing tile with sand paper. Any good thinset like Versabond (Home Depot) will work fine to install your new floor.
preparting a plywood subfloor for tile installation

Over an Existing Vinyl Floor

 

Try to remove the vinyl floor and the adhesive used for the vinyl installation. If it turns out to be difficult, you might want to lay down a backerboard with thinset. A backerboard like Hardibacker may be installed over vinyl. In some cases, you will be able to remove the vinyl itself, but not the adhesive. Use the type of thinset that is recommended by the backerboard manufacturer.

Make sure all loose adhesive is removed from the surface and verify that a good bond to the substrate can be achieved. For cut-back adhesive residue, verify that the thin-set manufacturer's mortar is compatible.

 

Preparing a Plywood Subfloor for Tile Installation

 

If you are concerned that your vinyl floor may contain asbestos, you should have it tested before attempting to remove it. Many vinyls installed about 1982 or earlier may contain asbestos.